SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Fulfilling a pledge and a top budget priority, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced that $2 million has been awarded to organizations throughout the state to fund HIV/AIDS prevention efforts targeting minority communities.

“HIV is not an epidemic of the past. It continues to devastate families and communities across Illinois – especially minority communities. In order to stop the spread of the disease, it is imperative that we reach out to people in areas that are experiencing the highest rates of infection,” Blagojevich said

Statistics indicate that HIV/AIDS is having a profound effect on communities of color. African Americans and Hispanics represent less than a third of the state’s population, yet they comprise more than 60 percent those diagnosed with AIDS and 61 percent of all HIV cases.”

In his first state budget, the Governor included a $2 million HIV/AIDS appropriation specifically intended to improve services and address the escalating number of cases in communities of color. Blagojevich’s fiscal year 2005 budget plan, not only maintains the previous commitment, but increases spending to $3 million.

The Governor’s total budget this fiscal year for HIV/AIDS prevention, counseling, testing and treatment stands at $55 million, with $35 million of that for the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which provides more than 70 life-saving drugs to about 3,000 clients a month who meet income eligibility requirements.

Illinois has recorded a total of 30,845 cases of AIDS since 1981 and, of those diagnosed with the disease, 16,715, or 54 percent have died. Of those cases, 18,449 are either African American (14,936) or Hispanic (3,513).

Through the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Center for Minority Health, awards were made to fund community prevention pilot projects overseen by community-based and faith-based organizations, one-time grants for HIV/AIDS prevention special events programs, development

of an education campaign and building capacity for those currently providing prevention services in minority communities.

“For many years, the traditional model for HIV/AIDS education and outreach reflected how the

disease initially spread,” said Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director. “With HIV and AIDS now disproportionately impacting the African American and Hispanic communities, we have to develop new models and ways to reach those most at risk. The grants announced today provide the foundation for that effort and something we will continue to build on.”